Strike 2: On the one hand, they are who we thought they were. On the other hand, there are still so many unknowns about the Colorado Buffaloes and the Colorado State Rams.

The oddsmakers projected that both teams would be 1-1 after two games, so that much has gone according to script. Are local football followers shocked with the way any of the four games have played out? We knew Texas was one of the best teams in the country and would probably crush CSU, and it was totally predictable that the Rams would bounce back and take care of Northern Colorado. It was also predictable that the Buffs would dispatch North Dakota State before running into a buzzsaw in Lincoln and get handled by an angry bunch of Nebraska Cornhuskers. So there’s that.

Still, after two games, there’s a lot we still don’t know going into Saturday evening’s Rocky Mountain Showdown: Will Shedeur and the Buffs stay on their side of the field during pre-game warm ups? Will the two coaches shake hands before and/or after the game? What’s the over/under on personal foul penalties? The Rams best player, Tory Horton, is dinged up and only “probable” to play. Can he still be a difference maker like he was at Folsom Field last September? The Buffs defensive leader, Shilo Sanders, suffered a broken arm in Lincoln. Who replaces him? Are the Buffs as a whole going to suffer from any sort of emotional hangover from last Saturday?

When the two in-state rivals meet this Saturday at Canvas Stadium, the oddsmakers say the Buffs will win by a touchdown. What do your eyeballs say?

We know Canvas Stadium will be packed with Rams fans frothing at the mouth for a chance to take down their big brother from Boulder. They were so close a year ago. The atmosphere in Lincoln played a role in the Huskers fast start against CU. Maybe it can help CSU this week too. Maybe not. Once the game kicks off, can either team’s defense show marked improvement over their lackluster first two games?

The Buffs were manhandled by the bigger, stronger Nebraska front, which registered 10 tackles for loss including six sacks. But CSU’s front seven isn’t Nebraska’s. They haven’t been impressive the first two weeks. This could be the week the Buffs discover some sort of running game. And we saw UNC receivers run right past the CSU secondary. Can the Rams DB’s even stay in the same area code as Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn, Jr. and company?

The CU defense actually played okay against a very conservative Nebraska offense in the second half. Is that something they can build on? After being blanked by Texas, CSU’s offense wasn’t a juggernaut against outmanned UNC, but did wake up some big play potential at times. Can they win the line of scrimmage against a CU front that Deion has said is full of guys who will play on Sundays? Can and will CSU commit to a ground game with Justin Marshall, who gained more than 100 yards against the Longhorns?

Both coaches are under a microscope at the moment. The Buffs talked big before the season, and haven’t looked the part as of yet. CSU’s Jay Norvell faces the pressure of making a bowl game to satisfy his new bosses. Is this a must-win scenario for both teams?

Last year, CSU was a four-touchdown underdog after getting blasted by Washington State in their opener. Instead, the game went into double OT. Entirely possible that this year, the point spread is too small, and it will be the Buffs that rebound in a big way.

Knowing what we know and what we don’t, anyone who thinks they actually know what will happen on Saturday night at Canvas Stadium is just guessing.